I always think of the alto as a major 6th above concert pitch (same as down a minor 3rd) because it is easier for my brain to transpose. The 6th is the relative minor, and that is an important association. Plus when I think of chord structures, I generally think up rather than down. So in the key of C I would play the Major 6 arpeggio as C-E-G-A and A is the relative minor or the alto sax pitch. (Note: that arpeggio is the "meat" of the bass line to zillions of songs)

BTW, The Tenor (a Bb instrument) is a whole step above concert pitch.

I played tenor and alto in guitar bands most of my life. Guitar players like E and A concert, so I learned to play the sax in the keys with lots of sharps in them.

As a result, I actually prefer to play in keys like E and A to what are supposed to be easier keys like Bb and Eb.

It's all a matter of what you get used to. F# is not any more difficult for the fingers than any other key. IMHO the sharp keys are actually easier to play than the flat ones. I don't know if it is what I'm used to or not, but the hands actually seem to be more comfortable in those keys. The transition from B to C# is much more fluid than B to C on the sax and the Bb is always a bit of an awkward note to play in fast runs (which is why there are alternate not-quite-in-tune fingerings for that note).

I encourage all sax players to learn to play in E and A concert because there is so much music that is played in those keys.

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Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
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